AGP Executive Report

Aviation Safety: The FAA ordered inspections of 471 Boeing 737 Max jets after crack concerns tied to a “bear strap” component, adding to the aircraft maker’s long-running scrutiny. Energy & Utilities: Alaska’s winter gas risk is back in focus as Southcentral utilities warn demand could outstrip supply during a sustained cold snap, with possible LNG imports and even interruption plans on the table. Juneau Arts & Downtown Development: Sealaska Heritage Institute unveiled schematics for a 30,000-square-foot “crown jewel” arts building at Heritage Square, but the plan hinges on the city selling land and a costly asbestos cleanup. Southeast Fisheries: Pink salmon are finally showing up in Southeast Alaska after a late, weak start, improving near-term harvest expectations for commercial seiners and gillnetters. Food Supply Chain: Walmart’s Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter recall expanded to 19 states after salmonella was found in Florida testing, including Alaska. Local Agriculture: Anchorage Farmers Market is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a community birthday event Saturday, highlighting the state’s growing food-producer network. Arctic Security: The U.S. and Canada are shadowing two Chinese icebreaking research ships near Alaska as Arctic presence concerns continue.

Elections & Money in Politics: Billionaire Elon Musk donated $1.5 million to a Wisconsin PAC backing Alaska’s Ballot Measure 2 to repeal ranked-choice voting and related rules, a move that could shift the fundraising balance ahead of the November vote. Southeast Fisheries: Pink salmon finally showed up in Southeast Alaska after a historically weak start, with managers seeing improving catches and a potential path back toward the preseason forecast. Juneau Flood Mitigation: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will soon unveil a long-term plan for Juneau’s glacial outburst flooding, including a private-sector bid process to help “evacuate” water from Suicide Basin. Kenai Housing Infrastructure: Kenai City Council approved $775,000 for Sixth Street infrastructure supporting senior housing, combining a CDBG grant and local housing initiative funds. Food Safety: Walmart-exclusive Bettergoods pistachio nut butter was recalled in 19 states after salmonella was found in routine testing; no illnesses reported. Mining & Workforce: Trump announced more than $2 billion in mineral-supply-chain support, including funding for mining schools and critical-minerals training. Aviation Safety: FAA ordered crack inspections for 471 Boeing 737 Max jets over door “bear strap” crack concerns.

Arctic Defense Drills: U.S. Northern Command staged Operation TUNDRA MERLIN near Nome, pairing F-35s, F-16s, radar, aerial refueling, and HIMARS precision fires to show how the military can detect, intercept, and strike high-end threats across Alaska’s vast terrain. Fisheries Science: Sen. Lisa Murkowski backed a bill to bring environmental DNA into NOAA fishery stock assessments, aiming for broader, more cost-effective survey coverage and stronger management. Southeast Infrastructure & Utilities: Ketchikan City Council advanced a ballot measure affecting the city-run Ketchikan Public Library and approved steps tied to electric utility financing and a hydroelectric upgrade grant application. Wildlife Tourism Recovery: The Fish Creek bear-viewing site near Hyder reopened after July flooding damage, but with limited daily tickets as repairs and safety precautions continue. Aviation Safety: The FAA ordered crack inspections for hundreds of Boeing 737 Max jets, citing a structural “bear strap” crack concern. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter sold in 19 states, including Alaska, over possible Salmonella contamination. Agriculture Spotlight: Anchor Point Greenhouse was named Alaska’s 2026 Farm Family of the Year, highlighting continued growth in local farming education and community impact.

Cook Inlet Gas Crunch: Enstar and its affiliate Alaska Pipeline Company have started arbitration with Cook Inlet producer HEX over “discretionary gas,” raising alarms about winter supply. Alaska LNG Politics: A third Alaska LNG special session opened with no bill from Gov. Dunleavy and only a handful of lawmakers present, keeping the megaproject’s property-tax break in limbo. Waste and Utilities: Anchorage is weighing a waste-to-energy incinerator plan that could reshape local power and waste management, while Alaska also gained EPA approval to regulate its own hazardous waste program. King Cove Road Fight: Three Alaska tribes and a conservation group sued to stop construction of the King Cove road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Aviation Safety: The FAA ordered inspections of nearly 500 Boeing 737 MAX jets for possible cracks affecting structural integrity. Industry and Energy Outlook: Leaders held an Anchorage listening session on North Slope gas and future energy supply as Cook Inlet production declines. Local Business & Agriculture: A Farm Family of the Year was named in Anchor Point, while Wasilla-area peony growers reported major losses after unusual winter weather. Community Spotlight: The Blue Angels return to Anchorage for Arctic Thunder after a decade away. Workforce & Food Security: A new push to expand rural meal delivery targets gaps when school ends, aiming to keep kids fed year-round.

Alaska Energy & Industry Leadership: ConocoPhillips named CFO Andy O’Brien as president and CEO, succeeding Ryan Lance (who becomes executive chair) effective Sept. 1, with Konnie Haynes-Welsh moving up to CFO—an internal reshuffle that keeps Alaska-linked operations in the same leadership orbit. Broadband & Rural Infrastructure: SpaceX urged the FCC to “wind down and sunset” USF High-Cost subsidies, arguing low-Earth orbit satellite service makes the program less necessary—an issue that could ripple into Alaska’s telecom funding landscape. Telecom Buildout in Alaska: Pioneer Consulting will handle engineering and design for Cordova Telecom Cooperative’s FISH West 2 submarine cable, linking Seward and Homer with branches to Seldovia, Port Graham, and Nanwalek, funded through USDA ReConnect. Workforce & Training Grants: SBA announced up to $10 million in E2G grants for manufacturing training at tribal colleges and trade schools serving Alaska Native communities, with proposals due Aug. 24. Aviation Safety: FAA ordered inspections of hundreds of Boeing 737 Max jets for cracks near the forward service door reinforcement, with repairs required before return to service. Local Economy Watch: AEDC says Anchorage’s recovery is lagging the rest of Alaska, with slow growth and weak consumer confidence weighing on business sentiment.

Federal Reserve Watch: Anchorage’s business crowd heard Fed Gov. Lisa Cook say she’s “prepared to act” and raise rates if inflation doesn’t cool, warning price pressures could become entrenched. Food Safety: FDA recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter sold at Walmart in 19 states, including Alaska, after salmonella was found; no illnesses reported, but shoppers are told to throw it out or return it. Public Health & Community: A North Pole woman, Samantha Pearson, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl that killed Adam Sakkinen, tied to a major trafficking ring. Wildfire Response: Alaska smokejumpers made a historic first aerial jump in Southeast Alaska during the Boulder Fire near Haines, as crews worked to contain a human-caused blaze. Local Industry & Compliance: A Juneau construction firm, Duran Construction, faces a proposed $350K settlement over alleged Clean Water Act violations involving wetlands and waterways. Ports & Space Logistics: Alaska Aerospace is seeking $3.51M for a Pasagshak freight ramp study to move launch materials by barge, aiming to reduce road impacts. Anchorage Economy: AEDC says Anchorage jobs are growing in construction and healthcare, but recovery lags the rest of the state amid housing shortages and infrastructure gaps. Antitrust: Acting Alaska AG Cori Mills joined a multi-state $400M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and competition restraints.

AI Accountability Push: Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday joined a multi-state coalition demanding OpenAI and Hugging Face face transparency demands after an alleged breach tied to an experimental model, with states seeking document preservation and a halt to risky testing. Southeast Alaska Infrastructure: Wrangell’s new Áax’w Sáani cabin near Long Lake is on track for completion by late September, using local labor and materials. Parks Overhaul: Wrangell is dismantling aging playgrounds and concentrating upgrades at two sites, aiming for at least one new playground by summer 2027. Native Land Legislation: A Landless Natives bill clearing a Senate committee would let five Southeast communities form land-owning Native corporations, but it still needs full Senate and House action. Local Economy Shift: Wrangell’s business outlook flipped from pessimism to one of the strongest in 2026, tied to plans for a deepwater port industrial park and shipyard at the 6-Mile Mill site. Arctic Research Legacy: The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute marks 80 years since Truman-era legislation, highlighting Alaska’s long-running role in Arctic science. Food Safety: FDA recall alerts expanded for Walmart pistachio nut butter (bettergoods) sold in Alaska and 18 other states over possible salmonella contamination. Payments Tech: Western Union launched Stablecard with Anchorage Digital Bank’s USDPT stablecoin on Solana, letting users hold and spend dollar-backed crypto via Visa networks. Manufacturing Training: SBA is seeking up to $10M in grants for tribal colleges and trade schools to expand hands-on manufacturing training under its E2G initiative. Mining Watch: Hecla Mining shares rose after record output and a debt-free balance sheet, with strong performance at Greens Creek near Juneau.

Aviation & Jobs: The FAA finally certified Boeing’s 737 MAX 7 after years of delays, but the market signal is awkward: orders are concentrated heavily at Southwest, with other airlines taking only a handful. Energy Infrastructure: Alaska’s Gasline Caucus is set to host an Aug. 6 Anchorage listening session on how a North Slope pipeline could reshape local costs and opportunities. Public Works: Kotzebue is moving ahead with a $12.5 million sewer overhaul after years of aging mains and backups, funded through a state-safe-water grant. Local Construction Safety: Anchorage’s Central Transfer Station will stop accepting asbestos-containing construction materials, with older building debris likely to trigger extra screening. Food Supply Chain: Walmart-linked Bettergoods pistachio nut butter is recalled in Alaska and other states over possible salmonella contamination. Payments & Logistics Tech: Western Union and Rain launched Stablecard in 37 markets, letting customers receive USDPT stablecoin and spend via Visa. Rural Utilities Crisis: Ambler remains without water and sewer for months, with repairs still expected to take at least two more months.

Aviation & Jobs: The FAA has finally certified the Boeing 737 MAX 7 after nearly a decade of review, a major win for Boeing’s first new aircraft clearance since the 2018–2019 MAX crashes and the 2024 Alaska Airlines incident. Food Safety: Walmart shoppers in Alaska and 18 other states are being told to stop using a Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter lot after FDA posting of a Salmonella recall tied to jars tested by Florida regulators. Energy & Power: Chugach Electric is weighing an early-stage Caribou Creek hydroelectric dam near the Matanuska Glacier that could add 18 MW, but residents in Glacier View are raising concerns about landslides, flooding, icing, and impacts to gold mining claims and recreation. Timber & Southeast Economy: The U.S. Forest Service released the final decision for the South Revilla logging project east of Ketchikan, proposing up to 83 million board feet over 15 years, including harvest of old growth and new roads, trails, and cabins. Tribal Economic Development: The Administration for Native Americans opened applications for two new grant programs, EAGLE and AI3, replacing long-running SEDS funding and shifting priorities toward areas like greenhouses, microgrids, welding workforce training, elder mentorship, and AI. Critical Minerals Supply Chains: Reuters reports Lockheed Martin is in talks to secure U.S.-mine supplies of scandium and germanium as defense contractors face pressure to reduce reliance on China. Remittances & Finance: Western Union launched StableCard, letting recipients receive remittances as Solana-based USDPT stablecoins and spend via a Visa card across 37 markets, with expansion planned.

FAA/Boeing Update: The FAA certified the long-delayed Boeing 737 MAX 7 after nearly a decade of review, a key step in Boeing’s post-crash comeback. Alaska Politics & Fisheries: The Kodiak Chamber will host statewide fisheries debates Sept. 9 and 12, with gubernatorial and federal candidates invited after the Aug. 18 primary. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter in 19 states, including Alaska, after Salmonella was found in a tested lot. Arctic Energy Rules: The Interior Department plans to propose updates to 2016 Arctic exploratory oil and gas drilling regulations, aiming to cut burdens and clarify operations. Mining/Investment: Trilogy Metals says the U.S. Department of War’s strategic equity investment is advancing exploration at its Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in northwest Alaska. Community & Health: Sitka’s SEARHC and Parks team up to offer kid-led play sessions for neurodiverse youth, and Homes For Our Troops broke ground on an adapted mortgage-free home for an injured Alaska Army veteran. Elections Info: Alaska Public Media and partners released a 2026 Alaska Voter Guide ahead of early in-person voting.

Aviation Safety & Jobs: The FAA has finally certified Boeing’s 737 MAX 7, a long-delayed milestone for the planemaker after years of tighter scrutiny tied to prior MAX incidents and the Alaska Airlines MAX 9 door-plug blowout. Food Supply Chain: Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter sold at Walmart in 19 states, including Alaska, is recalled for possible salmonella contamination; no illnesses reported. Construction Safety: Two workers died after a 13-foot trench collapsed while installing a septic system at the Delta Medical Center in Delta Junction; authorities are investigating whether any criminal conduct contributed. Commercial Fishing & Marine Power: Bering North LLC repowered its Bering Sea trawler Progress with a 2,000-hp Cummins engine, boosting capacity and efficiency for future operations. Antitrust: AG William Tong announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and reduced competition, with total payments to state enforcers pegged around $469 million. Local Culture: Fairbanks’ FLOW women’s pro wrestling marks a decade of bodyslams and bruises, keeping a winter-night crowd entertained.

Workforce & Childcare: Alaska’s childcare crunch is framed as an infrastructure problem that employers pay for through turnover and recruiting costs, with a warning against state subsidies that lack accountability. Energy Policy: Anchorage Daily News urges lawmakers to see the numbers before locking in long-term gas line tax changes, arguing the current deal structure needs clear rules and separate fiscal analysis. Mining & Community Impacts: A new open-pit gold mine’s man camp is raising serious safety and sexual violence concerns for an Interior Alaska Native community near Tok. Construction Safety: Two workers died after a 13-foot trench collapse while installing a septic system in Delta Junction. Tribal Gaming & Federal Rules: U.S. senators press the CFTC for government-to-government consultation over prediction market rules that could affect tribal gaming authority and revenues. Alaska Metals Exploration: Northern Star and PolarX expand a JV targeting copper-gold potential in Alaska’s Range, with a major drilling push underway. Military Affairs: Gov. Dunleavy launches a new Alaska Military Affairs Office to coordinate defense-related planning across installations, industry, and communities. Aviation Disruption (Regional): WestJet flight attendants strike continues to ground flights, with ripple effects for travelers and local airport operations.

Labor Disruption: WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE WestJet Component walked out after contract talks in Calgary failed, grounding hundreds of trips and leaving travelers scrambling; WestJet says affected passengers will be refunded or re-accommodated. Aviation Logistics: A new look at the Boeing 747-400F’s unique nose-door design highlights a looming air-cargo capability gap as older freighters retire, while next-gen twins like the 777-8F and A350F still lack that front-loading feature. Natural Hazards & Housing: Researchers mapped landslide exposure across 128 million U.S. buildings, finding 6.5 million Americans live in hazard zones—risk can vary sharply block to block, complicating recovery planning. Alaska Climate Risk: Reporting from Alaska’s Toolik Field Station ties permafrost thaw to carbon release and warns current planning models may not fully account for the scale of Arctic impacts. Deep-Sea Mining Push: The U.S. moves toward commercial deep-sea mining with a proposed lease sale around American Samoa, drawing opposition over potential ecosystem impacts. Alaska Business & Community: Alaska SeaLife Center leaders argue the state can “invest in hope” again as marine conditions shift, while a separate Alaska-made manufacturer profile spotlights Mountain Dog’s growth and statewide partnerships.

Alaska Energy & Utilities: Ouzinkie is set to open a solar-plus-battery emergency backup system this fall, aiming to cut costly diesel reliance during hydro maintenance. Alaska Manufacturing: Mountain Dog was named 2025 Alaska Manufacturer of the Year, highlighting growth, new deployable products, and partnerships across Alaska’s seafood, tourism, and retail sectors. Southeast Timber & Jobs: The Tongass has issued a Record of Decision for the South Revilla Integrated Resources Project, with up to 83 million board feet of timber planned over 15 years and added habitat and recreation work. Aviation & Safety Funding: Federal officials are discussing $425M committed for Alaska aviation safety after NTSB pressure, as pilots still face unanswered questions following a Nome crash. Internet Access: The FCC is weighing changes to the E-Rate program that subsidizes internet for Alaska schools and libraries, putting budgets at risk. Ports & Federal Ops: The Port of Newport is preparing a pitch to keep NOAA’s Pacific operations in Oregon as a lease decision process begins. Local Construction: Juneau is nearing completion on playground upgrades at multiple parks, with more work expected this fall. Tourism & Travel Costs: A new report breaks down why Alaska hotel prices swing so much, using Anchorage examples. Policy & Industry Watch: The U.S. announced plans to lease deep-sea mining rights in American Samoa, a move critics say advances commercial seabed extraction.

Aviation Safety Funding: Federal and state leaders met in Anchorage as the FAA plans nearly $500M over three years to upgrade Alaska runway lighting, weather reporting, and air traffic systems, aiming to cut the fatality rate by 90% by 2033. Mining & Permitting: A new Amalga gold mine in Juneau is securing a fast federal permitting process, a potential boost for local development timelines. Rural Power Resilience: Ouzinkie is moving ahead with a solar farm and battery backup expected to open this fall, targeting up to 17 hours of emergency power to reduce costly diesel dependence. Education Connectivity Risk: The FCC is weighing changes to the E-Rate program that subsidizes internet for Alaska schools and libraries, putting remote connectivity budgets in limbo. Community Infrastructure: Juneau playground upgrades are nearly complete, with new sites at Sigoowu Ye Park and Si’t Tuwan Park opening this month and the Dzantik’i Heeni Playground expected later this fall. Public Health Alert: Costco shoppers are being warned about misbranded Red’s All Natural Steak, Cilantro and Lime Burritos sold in select lots due to an undeclared egg allergen. Arctic Research Legacy: UAF’s Geophysical Institute marked its 80th anniversary, tracing back to Truman-era legislation that helped shape Arctic science and defense research. Energy & Logistics Watch: Alaska’s aviation stakeholders are also pushing for better weather stations as carriers flag operational risk from gaps in current data.

Aviation Safety Funding: Federal and state leaders met in Anchorage to push Alaska aviation upgrades, with Sullivan citing nearly $425M in committed spending over three years for runway lighting, weather reporting, and air traffic systems—while the NTSB presses for faster action after repeated safety warnings. Weather Station Fixes: Air carriers urged officials to prioritize repairing existing Alaska weather stations, not just building new ones, after outages left many stations dark for months at a time. Mining Permitting: Juneau’s New Amalga gold mine won FAST-41 expedited federal permitting, a move that drew fresh concern from residents worried about industrial impacts in the Tongass area. Tribal & Habitat Concerns: The Mother Kuskokwim Tribal Coalition asked Panthera to address conflicts of interest tied to board members’ investments in mining that could harm Canada lynx habitat. Food Safety Alert: USDA issued a public health alert for Red’s All Natural Steak, Cilantro and Lime Burritos sold at Costco due to misbranding with an undeclared egg allergen. Wildlife Rescue: A humpback whale was freed from a gill net near Petersburg after a coordinated two-day response involving NOAA and local partners. Housing Push: Housing Alaskans grants backed 77 new homes across 13 communities, aiming to unlock shovel-ready projects for workforce, teachers, seniors, and storm recovery. Public Safety Incident: Two people died after a trench collapse in Delta Junction while installing a septic system.